Sermon at Family Service November 20, 2022.
Gospel Luke 6.37-38
Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give and it will be given to you.”
Sermon: “Be loved. Be kind. Be you. “
When Jesus lived many many years ago, he once gave a speech to his friends and followers to give them faith, give them hope and show them love.
Be loved. Be kind. Be you.
Jesus spoke to ordinary people, like you and me. And he talked about how to be loving and kind. And how you could be yourself, your truest self, when you loved and felt loved and when you met kindness and showed kindness.
Be loved. Be kind. Be you.
We might think we only need to be brave when it comes to big and scary things. We might think being brave is only for superheroes. But whether it is for a friend or a stranger, a family member or a neighbor, or even ourselves, compassion helps us to be brave. Kindness helps us to be good and feel good.
When we feel loved, we can be loving.
When we feel kindness, we can be kind.
When we are seen and loved for who we are, we can see and love others for whom they are.
It is quite simple. Just like Jesus said that day:
Judge and you will not be judged.
Condemn, and you are not condemned.
Give and it will be given to you.
Forgive and you will be forgiven.
Or like we say:
Be loved. Be kind. Be you.
Maybe you have stood up for a friend who was bullied, or maybe a friend stood up for you when you were bullied.
Maybe stepped back and waited so someone smaller than you could have a turn.
Maybe you shared your candy at Halloween so someone else could taste the best candy too.
Maybe you held your grandma’s hand when she was sad and lonely.
Maybe someone hugged you when you were sad?
It is all about having open eyes and ears and hearts to see one another and care for one another.
Jesus once said that there was one golden rule in life that we all should live by. Do you know that Golden Rule?
Do to others as you would have them do to you.
Repeat: Do to others – as you would have them – do to you.
It is a Golden Rule and an incredibly wise rule, but also an amazingly simple rule. Always test your words and your actions against this rule – do I want to be treated that way, do I want someone to talk to me that way, do I want to feel that way?
Here in church, we are always reminded that we are loved. We are loved by God exactly as we are. And we are made to be kind and loving.
Be loved. Be kind. Be you.
You will all receive one of these Stickers today. You can put it on your bike or ask your parents if you can put it on your car, your fridge or your door. As a daily reminder to know that you are loved, you are kind, and you are uniquely YOU.
In your bulletin, you will find a Daily Examen. Do not worry, it is not like in school or at work! It is a daily examen and questionnaire to help us express when we were surprised or disappointed when we shared kindness and what made us most thankful today.
As we greet one another in a moment, share what you are most thankful for today.
Be loved. Be kind. Be you.